One of the hottest destinations on the west coast is Los Angeles, California. I was fortunate enough to visit here just a few weeks back, and it has been one of my favorite vacations to date!

While visiting this city, I made sure to check out all of the best places to eat. If you find yourself in So Cal this summer, here are the best places to eat in LA.

1. Dirt Dogs

Just a few miles from downtown Los Angeles, on the corner of S Figueroa St and W Adams Blvd, lies a restaurant serving what I like to call gourmet hot dogs. Dirt Dogs sells amazing local Los Angeles street food, and they’ve transformed the traditional hot dog into a tasty and fun treat. I tried the #PattyMeltDog topped with melted cheddar cheese fries, homemade chipotle sauce, and served on a buttered lobster roll. My boyfriend had the #DirtyChiliDog served with an authentic beef chili, and melted cheddar cheese with bacon.

2. Grub

If you find yourself in Hollywood, stop by Grub, not “THE Grub”, just “Grub.” Located in the heart of a beautiful residential neighborhood, Grub is a small, yet unique spot for brunch. The locals know this place because of their “crack bacon” and let me tell you, it’s savory, sweet and so good! I had their “OOH LA! LA! Egg Sandwich” served with scrambled eggs, melted cheddar cheese, and two slices of their “crack bacon” layered between a french toast croissant. They paired this plate with a side of maple syrup, but I recommend teaming this sandwich with hot sauce. My boyfriend had the pulled pork sandwich which was also very good, but the star of his plate was the sautéed potatoes seasoned with oregano and other spices. These bad boys were crispy and buttery with just the right amount of flavor and spice.

3. The Tavern

If Malibu is more your style, and you wish to dine like a celebrity (at an inexpensive price of course), I recommend The Tavern, located along Pacific Coast Highway. This restaurant has both good food and great service! I had their salmon sandwich paired with sweet potato fries. This sandwich was by far my favorite meal this trip because the salmon was the best I have ever eaten! It was oh so juicy and extremely flavorful thanks to their chipotle mayo marinade. The sandwich itself was topped with fresh spring greens, vine ripe tomatoes, and caramelized peppers. My boyfriend had the pulled pork sandwich here too (he tends to stick with traditional comfort foods), and yes it was good. I highly recommend the salmon!

4. Jack in the Box and el Pollo Loco

I would like to spend a minute to rave about Los Angeles’ not-so-average fast food joints! LA is famous for In-n-Out Burger, but I also recommend Jack in the Box and el Pollo Loco. These restaurants serve traditional fast food items such as hamburgers and chicken burritos, but the flavor and quality of the food served here doesn’t compare to the big box competitors like McDonald’s and Taco Bell. At Jack in the Box you will find burgers with a twist—their sourdough jack is served on sourdough bread with a side of seasoned curly fries. El Pollo Loco has some sort of secret when it comes to cooking their chicken, it’s always fresh and flavorful. If you ever visit the west coast, you just have to check out at least one of these joints.

Comment below your favorite food stop in Los Angeles!

Alisia is a mechanical engineering student at The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and holds an internship at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. After graduating with her bachelors, she wants to pursue her masters with a minor in environmental studies. With her degree, she hopes to develop alternative energy resources and create a sustainable environment.

Apart from her school extracurricular activities, she enjoys drawing, painting, and traveling. Within the next year, she plans to get involved with Give Volunteers, an organization that combines volunteer work and overseas travel to improve lives. Apart from helping others in developing countries obtain necessary resources, she is also passionate in helping other achieve their academic goals which is why she is so excited to be a Cengage Student Ambassador!